Jackson launches general election campaign in White County

CLEVELAND, Ga. — Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson officially launched his general election campaign Thursday evening in White County. Jackson chose Northeast Georgia as the starting point of his race against Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms while outlining an agenda focused on affordability, education, public safety and government accountability.

The rally at Meadows at Mossy Creek drew supporters from across North Georgia, local Republican elected officials and media outlets from across the state.

Jackson, a healthcare executive who won the Republican nomination earlier this month, centered much of his speech on his upbringing in poverty and the foster care system, arguing that his life experience has prepared him to lead Georgia.

“I was never supposed to be here,” Jackson told the crowd. “Not on this stage. Not running to be the next governor of Georgia. Not here today asking for your vote.”

He said his campaign is about helping Georgians struggling with rising costs.

“As governor, I will treat affordability like a crisis because for too many families, it already is,” Jackson said.

Local leaders urge Republican unity

White County Commission Chairman Travis Turner welcomed supporters and encouraged Republicans to unite behind Jackson following the primary election.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are honored to host this event for Rick Jackson,” Turner said. “It’s time that Republicans and conservatives come together. … We have one goal: to unify and get to the November election because we’ve got to get Mr. Jackson over the finish line.”

Cleveland Mayor Josh Turner said Jackson’s decision to begin his general election campaign in White County demonstrated a commitment to rural Georgia.

“Rick Jackson knows what it’s like to be forgotten,” Turner said, referencing Jackson’s upbringing in foster care. “The fact that he chose White County tells me he’s not going to let rural Georgia be forgotten. He’s going to remember us here in North Georgia and South Georgia and all across rural Georgia.”

State Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, also urged Republicans to unite behind the nominee while criticizing the Democratic Party.

“It’s time that we put the cheese back on the cracker, and then we put common-sense governance back in motion around our country,” Gooch said.

Campaign centered on affordability

Jackson devoted much of his speech to the rising cost of living, citing higher prices for groceries, gasoline, insurance, healthcare and housing.
Among his biggest promises was a pledge to reduce Georgia’s income tax.

“I will cut Georgia’s income tax in half, or I won’t run again,” Jackson said.

He also called for property tax relief, saying homeowners should not be taxed out of their homes because of increasing assessments.

“No one should be taxed out of the home they lived their lifetime to afford,” he said.

Jackson said he would reduce regulations that increase housing costs, improve transparency in state government and eliminate what he described as wasteful spending.

Education, healthcare and public safety

Jackson said improving literacy would be one of his top education priorities if elected.

“The first job of a school is to teach children to read,” he said, adding that Georgia should become “a national leader in literacy.”

He also pledged to increase teacher pay and support multiple education pathways, including four-year colleges, technical colleges, skilled trades and entrepreneurship.

Drawing on his healthcare background, Jackson said he would work to lower medical costs by increasing transparency, reducing inefficiencies and expanding access to healthcare in rural Georgia.

He also vowed to support law enforcement, improve public safety and make Georgia “the best state in the country” for veterans and active-duty military personnel.

Sharp contrast with Bottoms

Throughout the speech, Jackson sought to draw a contrast with Bottoms, criticizing her record as mayor of Atlanta and portraying the November election as a choice between his vision for Georgia and Democratic leadership.

He accused Bottoms of opposing tax cuts and argued that his administration would focus on lowering costs, improving accountability and creating economic opportunities statewide.

Jackson closed by returning to the personal story that shaped much of his campaign message, saying every decision he makes as governor would be guided by putting “others first.”

“I’ve spent my life taking on hard problems, beating long odds and making a difference,” he said. “That is exactly what I will do as your governor. I will fight to make life more affordable. I will demand accountability. I will fight for safer communities, stronger schools and opportunity in every corner of Georgia.”